Sidebar to story about a then new way to send money home using mobile phones. Explains how Myanmar migrants prefer the traditional means.
* Eko chat app blends corporate email with mobile messaging—Digital News Asia
From 250 applications, Korawad’s team was the only one among the eight selected that comprised high school students. Each team received US$20,000, a mentor, and a crash course in pitching, fund-raising, term sheets, lean management, company visits and paintball combat.
* Thailand Beverage Brand Sappe Aims To Double Revenue By 2026—Forbes Asia
Sappe already exports to almost 100 countries: in Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East. Its net profit climbed 59% to 653 million baht in 2022. More than three-quarters of revenue came from overseas.
* Out of Swatow (Shantou)
At a time when European banks would only loan to non-whites on crippling terms—if at all—Chin Sophonpanich was renowned for placing his trust in promising Chinese entrepreneurs throughout Southeast Asia. Among his protegés who rose to become dollar multi-millionaire and billionaire tycoons were Malaysia’s Robert Kuok and Indonesia’s Liem Sioe Liong.
* Safety questions and shady sales tactics are chilling the China-Tesla love affair—TechNode
Then there are more than ten recent accidents that Tesla drivers have blamed on mechanical malfunctions, which early this year drew the attention of Chinese regulatory authorities. Some of the accusations of malfunctions are similar to those made by Tesla owners in the US. Through it all, Tesla executives have appeared little concerned about the tarnishing of the company’s once dazzling brand image in China
Susan J Cunningham 